German House Rebuild

I finished laying the rings today. I ended up staking every other one. I called Matt to give me a hand finishing it. I mixed and he ran it up the hill and poured. It only took about an hour. Much nicer with help . Thanks!! Mia has been hunting Bumble bees all day. Now that the back side of the wood shed is cleared out she waits for them to fly in and out and attacks. Before there was too much junk to have access. She also loves laying in either the sand or sawdust. No way I can keep a clean house. She tracks it all in. I still have some wall work to do but getting there. Here's a couple pic's. dorf dude...

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German House Rebuild

Mia looks quite slim after chasing the bees.

Out of curiosity, why are some of the wall blocks a laid in staggered or running bond for a different appearance? It is just because the local supplier did not have the half length units? With you low height and thae amount of grout you mixed it is certainly not a strength problem since I have seen those units in 3 individual 15' walls stepped on a gravel footing with no problem.

German House Rebuild

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretemasonry

Mia looks quite slim after chasing the bees.

Out of curiosity, why are some of the wall blocks a laid in staggered or running bond for a different appearance? It is just because the local supplier did not have the half length units? With you low height and thae amount of grout you mixed it is certainly not a strength problem since I have seen those units in 3 individual 15' walls stepped on a gravel footing with no problem.

Dick - the other Schu

I staggered the main wall rings for strength. The hill behind will be pushing against it. They are filled all the way through with concrete. The side walls are stacked straight on top of each other because I don't see a need for so much strength and when I stagger them I must use a form to finish off the row at each end. The half ring you mentioned is not available. Thanks for following, dorf dude...

German House Rebuild

I've only gotten a little further with the stones. I've been gathering up junk as back fill. Lot's of little projects not worthy of this forum to mention. A solar update. I'm 75 Kw before I mounted the PV panels on 14 Apr, 123 Euros saved. The hot water has had 271 hours of production so far. The water tank is staying above 60C, 140F. Here's a couple pics. Mia is still hunting Bumble Bees dorf dude...

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German House Rebuild

It's been way to hot in the evenings to do any work this week. I got up early on Sat and Sun and laid a few more stones. Getting there. I went for a motorcycle ride with Matt yesterday. We ran into a guy at the wind turbine with a 1938 Zundap. Starts on the first kick. Here are a couple pic's. dorf dude...

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German House Rebuild

I waited out the heat and got prepped for another concrete pour. I had 32 C showing and the UV in the direct sunlight was killer. I ordered another pallet of stones today. I had to cut the neighbors fence out of the way. He never sees it, it's on the back side of his shed. I threw a piece of fiberglass roofing in to close the hole. Now Mia will not be sneaking out. Looks terrible but for now it will do. Here's a pic. dorf dude...

German House Rebuild

I've gotten a little further. This is the last of the 2 stone stacking. The rest will be singles. I have about 6ft to finish on this section. All rows have been re-bar spiked deep. This wall isn't going to move in my lifetime. Another pallet of stones scheduled for delivery tomorrow. Weather for the weekend is predicted for extreme heat 95F+. I will be getting up early for sure. I really need to find a way of covering the neighbors ugly doors. I'm thinking Bamboo mat's. Any other ideas? I'm open for suggestions. Here's a pic. dorf dude...

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Last edited by shumakerscott; 07-24-2013 at 12:58 PM.

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German House Rebuild

Dorf Dude -

Looking good!!

Now you have gotten some of the borders under control, what is the next later summer project before thew cold weather? Is the back area going to be natural flowers, a lush lawn or a meticulous putting green? Are you into BBQing?

Winter is coming soon before you can turn to more interior work. - Pay attention to drainage since what goes up comes down and eventually has to be drained. I imagine everything will drain around the house toward the front.

German House Rebuild

We are having a Heat Wave. It's 11 AM and already 85F. I started working this morning at 6 just to beat the heat. The one side wall is done . I've noticed over the last couple days a Wasp's nest in the yard. Mia has started doing battle with the Evil Creatures. I took matters into my own hands and concreted over the whole area. Let's see them get through that! Here are a couple pic's. Not much more getting done this weekend. Getting even hotter tomorrow. "Edit" We hit 101F dorf dude...

German House Rebuild

Last night we had a storm from hell hit us. It has been so hot for the last weeks with no rain. A front moved in with extreme violence. I thought it was a Cat. 5 Hurricane. Tree's were either uprooted or just snapped off. Matt lost a few trees. The tops are loaded with cones making them very heavy and the winds did the rest. One pic he's holding a top that weighs about 40 lbs. Here are a few pic's I took around the area. I have not noticed any damage on my house. The sound of chain saw's singing is all you could hear all day. Not DIY but thought you might be interested. dorf dude...

German House Rebuild

Mother Nature can be brutal. I think the storms are a method of survival for the fittest and getting rid of those that are not strong enough. - That reminds me that I better get some tree trimming done of some I want to save.

Judging from the skies in the pictures, you now have some clouds. Did any heavy rains dump a bit on you?

Did you even hear the storm from the inside of you bomb shelter? Those roll up shutters do the job, but make it hard to enjoy the entertainment. I imagine the protective area you built for the wasps protected them well and they just emerged later. I had some wasps bury in the sandy soil of my lake home, but I did not dump the waste concrete wide enough, so they got out and brought the whole family back with them.